<p>While APUSH may not be the hardest AP there is, it is definitely among the hardest. Especially with incredibly boring textbooks, tons of note-taking, and a million index cards to memorize. </p>
<p>I haven't taken it yet (taking this year), but here's a strategy that I think I'm going to use:
- read online notes
- read chapter, take notes
- read Rea APUSH review book
- complete whatever homework that is given.....
- cross my fingers and hope for the best.</p>
<p>So what about you guys? Share your experiences..? Questions? </p>
<p>Also, what is a good book for APUSH? A friend recommended Rea, but I'm wondering if there are better books out there. </p>
<p>OH and also, do you make your own flashcards? Or do you buy them? </p>
<p>Thanks~</p>
<p>AP USH is a junior year course at my HS. The teacher is very meticulous.
The strategy order was somewhat reversed with <strong>DO HW</strong> as #1
since we had tons of homework. Some of it was actually interesting.
** DO HW ** included reading chapters and taking very detailed
notes. Making your own cards makes remembering them a tad bit easier.</p>
<p>The downside of it was the amount of time I had to dedicate to it
-- almost 3X that of the fun courses lke Calc BC. AP USH made my
junior year living hell.</p>
<p>you should do whatever works for you...here is what worked for me (5/800)</p>
<p>I read the chapter for school, would do the "chapter reviews" (we had worksheets) (basically re-read important parts of text) during the year</p>
<p>A month before the test, I used the Kaplan SAT II book and the Princeton Review AP USH book. Even if you are not taking the AP, get the SAT II book. So, I read the Kaplan book, and wrote notes about anything I didn't remember, or details-this takes a while but it helps me understand. I read the book 2x more, and then typed out a list of everything I personally didn't remember...for example, I knew I had the whole first part down just because I am interested in that era-so while it was important, it wasn't on my list. Remember that this is for YOU to study. </p>
<p>Then I used the Princeton Review book and did the same technique. This got the big sweeping eras and helped generalize things....it also focused on way different things. So, I would recommend getting two different books: detailed/general and different era focuses. </p>
<p>Finally, take all the practice tests and questions you can. Google tests on stuff that isn't sticking (cough populism cough) until you've got it-or at least can answer questions on it. </p>
<p>Another hint of advice is that you shouldn't give up. I ended up studying hardcore for about 7-8 days, but otherwise did little to prepare and I still did well</p>
<p>Some more questions about index cards haha...</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you bought index cards which ones did you buy? Barron's? B/c those were the only ones I saw....</p></li>
<li><p>If you make your own, how many do you end up with? I know it's more like a personal preference but I'm not sure if the time is worth it because I have 3 other APs....one of which is AP Stat, also requires index cards and memorization and blah blah blah...</p></li>
</ol>
<p>THANKS! :)</p>
<p>I actually think our textbook (American Pageant) is one of the best textbooks I've read so far. The writing isn't dry at all, which is interesting for a textbook.</p>
<p>Hmm, I have Inventing America, which is very very very dull, but the writer has a very distinguished tone so it's funny that his/her personality actually is detectable in her writing....and it asks so many questions too, like nothing is certain. like..."Is that what really happened? We don't know for sure..." right after it goes on and on about it for 2 paragraphs. that part's pretty entertaining but yeah it's dull.</p>
<p>
[Quote]
I actually think our textbook (American Pageant) is one of the best textbooks I've read so far. The writing isn't dry at all, which is interesting for a textbook.
[/Quote]
</p>
<p>I had that book, too. I found the languages they use in that book funny. Too much personafications for a history textbook. I remember there was something about <em>the land laughed with harvest</em> or similar. Well, at least the book was some what interesting...</p>
<p>^ HAHA i remember that</p>
<p>"tickle the land and it would laugh with harvest"</p>
<p>Another one I liked was</p>
<p>"Winter was cold and the hellfire preached in the sermons seemed comfortable"</p>
<p>Don't forget online trivia, tests, practice tests.</p>